Acentos Why do Spanish words have accents?

Regla #1  Most Spanish words end in a vowel, N, or S. If a words ends in a vowel, N, or S, the spoken emphasis should be on the second-to-last syllable: PasaCama PerroBaila ComeTiene

Regla #1b  If a words ends in a vowel, N, or S, and the spoken emphasis is NOT on the second-to- last syllable, it needs a written accent: PásameCómelo TeléfonoElectrónico CaféJosé MíFé

Regla #2  Some Spanish words end in consonants other than N or S. If a words ends in one of those letters, the spoken emphasis should be on the last syllable: PasarBailar ComerBeber AzulEdad

Regla #2b  If a words ends in one of those letters, and the spoken emphasis is NOT on the last syllable, it needs a written accent: árbolazúcar lápizRodríguez RamírezDomínguez

Por Eso…  So if an infinitive adds one DOP, it goes from last syllable to second-to-last and switches from R to a vowel. No accent needed. Comer  Comerlo  But if an infinitive adds a DOP and an IOP, it goes from last syllable to third-to-last and needs an accent. Pasar  Pasármelo

Por Eso…  With commands, if we add anything, the emphasis will be before the second-to-last syllable, and an accent is needed. Tira  Tírame, Tíramelas Pasa  Pásame, Pásamelo  The exceptions would be commands that are only one syllable (di, da, sé, dé, ten, ven, sal). Di  Dime, Dímelo Da  Danos, Dánoslo

Por Eso…  With progressives, if we add anything, the emphasis will be before the second-to-last syllable, and an accent is needed. Tirando  Tirándote, Tirándotelas Pasando  Pasándome, Pasándomelo

Regla #3  Sometimes there are two words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but one has an accent. In this case, the accent just gives emphasis to the more important word. Yo hablo con él. (when it means “he,” that’s an important word.) Yo tengo el lápiz. (when it means “the,” it’s just a lead in to the noun that follows.)

Regla #3  Sometimes there are two words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but one has an accent. In this case, the accent just gives emphasis to the more important word. Pasa los papeles a mí. (when it means “me,” that’s an important word.) Yo tengo mi lápiz. (when it means “my,” it’s just a lead in to the noun that follows.)

Regla #3  Sometimes there are two words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but one has an accent. In this case, the accent just gives emphasis to the more important word. Tú eres mi mejor amigo (when it means “you,” that’s an important word.) Yo tengo tu lápiz. (when it means “your,” it’s just a lead in to the noun that follows.)

Regla #3  Sometimes there are two words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but one has an accent. In this case, the accent just gives emphasis to the more important word. ¿ Cuándo vas a salir? (when it asks the question, that’s an important word.) Yo voy cuando tú vas. (when it’s a conjunction, it’s just a lead in to the next phrase.)

Regla #3  Sometimes there are two words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but one has an accent. In this case, the accent just gives emphasis to the more important word. ¿Por qué estás aquí? (when it asks the question, that’s an important word.) Yo estoy aquí porque quiero hablar contigo. (when it’s a conjunction, it’s just a lead in to the next phrase.)

Regla #3  Sometimes there are two words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but one has an accent. In this case, the accent just gives emphasis to the more important word. Yo sólo quiero hablarte (when it means “only,” that’s an important word.) Yo estoy aquí solo. (when it means “alone,” it’s just an adjective.)

Regla #4  The only thing that makes this process tricky is diphthongs – two vowels that stay together as one syllable. If you want to know more about that, check out:  on/diphthongs_ai.htm on/diphthongs_ai.htm